R. Sankar Biography
R. Sankar was the third Chief Minister of Kerala from 1962 to 1964 and was also the Deputy Chief Minister of the State from 1960 to 1962. Apart from a politician and social worker, he was a Writer, Statesman, Administrator, Orator, Educationist and Editor. Sankar was the Chief Editor of the newspaper ‘Dinamony’ started under his ownership. He has published a couple of books in Chemistry as well. He started the Sree Narayana Medical Mission under the SN Trust in Kollam for giving away free treatment.
Sankar was born on April 30, 1909 in Kuzhikkalidavaka village in Puthoor, Kottarakkara. Raman and Kunjaliamma were his parents. He did his formal education in the Puthoor Primary School. He later studied in Kottarakkara. In 1924, he completed BSc Chemistry from University College, Thiruvananthapuram. He was financially supported by a relative in his studies as his family was poor. He has worked as teacher and was appointed as principal of Sivagiri High School later. He actively participated in many social movements during this time to fight against caste discrimination. Before joining Sivagiri, he completed Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram in 1933.
Later his attention was drawn towards Indian freedom movement and he joined Indian National Congress in Travancore State. After independence he focused on strengthening the party. But later he took a break from the Congress party and began to work in the SNDP Yogam. He was associated with SNDP for 13 years where he became its General Secretary and its President later. 'SNDP Kanaka Jubilee' was organized by Sankar during this time. Sankar returned to the Congress again and was elected to the Travancore State Assembly in 1948. Sankar was member of the Constituent Assembly till 1956 when states were formed.
He led the Congress party as Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee in 1958. Congress won the elections in 1960 under R. Sankar’s leadership. But Chief Minister Seat was given to Pattom Thanupillai of the Praja Socialist Party and Sankar hold Deputy Chief Minister post. He handled Finance from 1960 to 1962. When Thanupillai was appointed as the Governer of Punjab, R. Sankar took over the power and ruled Kerala from September 26, 1962 to September 10, 1964. He had to resign when No-confidence motion was passed in the Assembly.
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Updated: October 09, 2013